{"id":4384,"date":"2020-02-09T18:46:57","date_gmt":"2020-02-09T17:46:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/en.advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/?p=4384"},"modified":"2020-02-09T18:46:57","modified_gmt":"2020-02-09T17:46:57","slug":"4384","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/2020\/02\/09\/4384\/","title":{"rendered":"Advancing Fuel-Management Technologies"},"content":{"rendered":"

Advancing Fuel-Management Technologies<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The latest fuel-management trends include fuel-access apps and mobile refueling solutions to minimize refueling time, installing in-cab tech, and using tech that automatically maintains tire-inflation pressure.<\/p>\n

As a top operational expense for work-truck fleets, fuel consumption remains top of mind for businesses large and small. Ensuring effective fuel management<\/a> saves both time and money, so overcoming causes of poor fuel economy \u2014 such as vehicle idling, improper tire pressure, underperforming mechanical parts, and poor driving habits \u2014 means improved miles per gallon (mpg), lower fuel costs, less downtime, and even fewer harmful vehicle emissions.<\/p>\n

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Fuel typically costs between 20\u201330% of the total fleet budget, according to the NTEA \u2013 The Association for the Work Truck Industry. And medium-duty trucks (Classes 3\u20136) use more than 8 billion gallons of fuel each year, according to an Environmental Defense Fund report \u201cGreenhouse Gas Management for Medium-Duty Truck Fleets \u2014 A Framework for Improving Efficiency and Reducing Emissions.\u201d<\/p>\n

These statistics illustrate the importance of fleet managers working to decrease fleet dependence on such a price-volatile commodity.<\/p>\n

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Work Truck<\/em> magazine checked in with fuel-management<\/a> technology providers, fleet managers, and work-truck associations to find out how the industry is effectively handling fuel management and what the latest trends are.<\/p>\n

The latest fuel-management trends include fuel-access apps and mobile refueling solutions to minimize refueling time, installing in-cab tech, and using tech that automatically maintains tire-inflation pressure.<\/p>\n

Trend 1:\u00a0Fuel-Access Apps<\/h5>\n

One recent trend takes advantage of mobile technology to streamline the refueling process: Some drivers now use fuel-access apps<\/a> on their smartphones, according to George Survant, senior director of fleet relations at the NTEA. At least one app currently in use uses a biometric sensor (fingerprint detector) that displays on the screen of users.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis allows the driver to turn on the pump and type in the odometer from the cab before exiting the truck to interact with the pump,\u201d Survant said. \u201cNot only does this make the fuel transaction less subject to the whims of weather on the operator, but the biometric signature will also decrease errors in truck assignments along with giving the operator an easier task in capturing the odometer reading.\u201d<\/p>\n

To date, at least two major fuel retailers nationwide have signed agreements with the technology supplier, according to Survant.<\/p>\n

Trend 2:\u00a0Mobile Refueling<\/h5>\n

Another fuel-management trend minimizes driver downtime as a result of refueling. Service companies, such as Booster Fuels<\/a>, are arriving on the scene to help organizations lower fuel costs. The San Mateo, Calif.-based startup uses its app-based service to deliver and pump gas in office parking lots. The company says its mobile-fueling service helps manage fuel costs, improve fleet maintenance, and increase productivity, resulting in a savings of up to $1,500 per vehicle every year.<\/p>\n

This service significantly helps fleet managers minimize driver downtime while refueling, according to Tyler Raugh, co-founder and president of fleet at Booster Fuels.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn average, fleets are taking 20 minutes between time off route, time paying at the pump, time pumping gas, and unnecessary time in the convenience store,\u201d Raugh said.<\/p>\n

Stanley Steemer<\/a> franchisee Dale See uses Booster\u2019s mobile fueling for his 40-vehicle fleet headquartered in San Jose, Calif. Because fueling is so expensive for his business, See always searches for operational fuel efficiencies.<\/p>\n

\u201cLabor is one of our highest costs when it comes to fueling. The less time spent at the gas station, the more time employees can spend doing their job,\u201d he said. \u201cEven looking at the cost of gas to get gas for the fleet is expensive.\u201d<\/p>\n

See\u2019s vehicles require about 400 fill-ups each month, and by using mobile fueling, the company saves about $1,000 per month in additional fuel burned just driving to fill up the tank.<\/p>\n

\u201cI try to find ways to make my fleet more efficient whenever I can,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Trend 3: In-Cab Driver Education<\/h5>\n

One current fuel management strategy focuses on real-time driver education. While vehicle aerodynamics and mechanical add-ons can improve fuel economy by up to 2%, drivers have the most significant impact on fuel efficiency, according to Ethan Sweeney, director of customer success at Vnomics<\/a>, a provider of onboard fuel optimization solutions that combine real-time driver coaching and detailed fuel efficiency insights.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany fleets realize that the best investment is in coaching technology in-cab,\u201d Sweeney said. \u201cFleets have seen 4% or 5%-plus improvements in their fuel consumption by engaging with their drivers through in-cab tech.\u201d<\/p>\n

Advancing technologies continue to help the fleet industry harness and leverage vehicle data to lower operational costs, making the upfront investments in these technologies well worth it for both large and small fleets, according to Sweeney.<\/p>\n

\u201cLarge fleets are tackling integrations with tech providers to collect and automate performance reports of active fuel campaigns, programs, and policies at each critical level of the organization, empowering the key players to have significant impact, while smaller fleets are using the provider\u2019s tool-suite of mobile-friendly apps on phones\/tablets or web-based reporting services to fill the same need on a different scale,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n

But no matter the size of the fleet,\u00a0Sweeney underscored the value of current and emerging tech available to fleet managers to help develop and maintain fuel policies and programs.<\/p>\n

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Top 10 Fuel-Management Tips<\/strong><\/h5>\n

\u278a \u00a0Specify the right vehicles and engines for the application.
\n\u278b \u00a0Minimize vehicle idling time.
\n\u278c \u00a0Use telematics to track key fuel-usage metrics.
\n\u278d \u00a0Install routing software to reduce unnecessary mileage.
\n\u278e \u00a0Limit vehicle speeds.
\n\u278f \u00a0Invest in low-rolling-resistance tires and automatic tire inflation technology.
\n\u2790 \u00a0Minimize vehicle stops and starts.
\n\u2791 \u00a0Research how services, like mobile fueling, could impact fuel cost savings.
\n\u2792 \u00a0Assess how new mobile technology can help, such as fuel-access apps.
\n\u2793 \u00a0Consider the benefits of fleet fuel card programs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Trend 4:\u00a0Tire-Inflation Tech<\/h5>\n

Ensuring proper vehicle tire-pressure<\/a> also continues to stay top of mind for fleet management to maximize fuel economy.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy keeping tires optimally inflated, fleets can see a 1\u20132% improvement in fuel economy,\u201d said Judith Monte, vice president of marketing and customer success at Aperia Technologies.<\/p>\n

Aperia Technologies<\/a>\u2019 Halo Tire Inflator was developed to improve fuel economy and road safety while reducing tire expenditures, and driver downtime for commercial fleets, including for dual and wide-based tires drive and trailer axles, commercial buses, box trucks, and refuse vehicles. It\u2019s a bolt-on device that automatically maintains tire-inflation pressure.<\/p>\n

The company also introduced its Halo Connect platform earlier this year, which combines automatic inflation with machine learning. The technology uses proprietary algorithms to categorize tire maintenance issues by severity, virtually eliminating unplanned tire-related downtime.<\/p>\n

Trend 5:\u00a0Mobile Power Stations<\/h5>\n

Mobile solar systems installed directly on trucks now help private fleets and commercial carriers reduce fuel consumption. One supplier, eNow, specializes in renewable energy systems. Its solar systems convert, store, and distribute electricity, powering applications such as liftgates, in-cab HVAC, refrigeration, telematics, and hotel loads, like appliances and lighting. Primary applications are for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, buses, and emergency vehicles.<\/p>\n

The benefits of a mobile solar system include minimizing idling and a reduced load on the alternator, lowering fuel usage. It also results in extended battery life and less wear-and-tear on electrical components.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe system can eliminate 10-plus hours of idling per day and extend the run time of certain equipment, including battery-APUs and liftgates,\u201d said Guy Shaffer, chief marketing officer at eNow<\/a>.<\/p>\n

C&S Wholesale Grocers installed the eNow solar technology on some of its trucks to address liftgate battery reliability and performance in modern delivery applications with low drive cycles. Leveraging this type of technology helps the company maximize equipment use and lower fuel usage.<\/p>\n

\u201cEffective fuel management is a key indicator of asset performance, supports our P&L, reduces our corporate GHG exposure, and supports our broader investments in sustainability,\u201d said Chris Trajkovski, VP of transportation, fleet maintenance & assets, safety and compliance at C&S.<\/p>\n

Taking Lessons From Heavy-Duty Trucks<\/h5>\n

While newer fuel-management technology solutions are enthusiastically tested and implemented in the heavy trucking industry, it\u2019s a different story for the light- and medium-duty truck industry, according to Daryl Bear, chief operating officer and lead engineer at Mesilla Valley Transportation<\/a> Solutions, which offers testing and consulting services to the trucking industry.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur parent company is a long-haul fleet that is 50% more fuel-efficient than the rest of the industry. This proves there are substantial improvements to be found. So how much savings are available in the light- and medium-duty segment? How much would reducing fuel cost by 50% mean to a company?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

The investment in tech on the front end is well worth the long-term back-end savings when approached correctly, according to Bear. \u201cKeep working on it, and keep looking at tech to help. Don\u2019t get discouraged if you are the only ambassador in your company on an initiative. Once you get a win, you\u2019ll start to get support,\u201d he advised.<\/p>\n

Another organization helping measure and benchmark fuel efficiency is the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE). The organization works to drive the development and adoption of efficiency-enhancing, environmentally beneficial, and cost-effective technologies, services and methodologies in the North American freight industry.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to help the industry understand how good is good. What can fleets expect when ordering a spec, and where should they set their corporate goals?\u201d said Dave Schaller, industry engagement director at NACFE.
\nNACFE scales available technologies, promotes emerging technologies, and works on guiding future technology solutions to maximize fuel economy. The Council\u2019s Run on Less event focuses on those core issues.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe basic premise is let us use our telematics to monitor your best tractor, trailer, and driver in their normal operation to see how well the best of the best perform,\u201d Schaller stated. \u201cOnly currently available options are allowed, so there is no engineering prototyping activities to throw off the benchmarking.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 2017 Run on Less event was for irregular route long-haul tractor-trailers. Against an industry average for this application of 6.4 mpg, the seven participating fleets saw an average of 10.1 mpg. The 2019 event focused on regional-haul applications, which averages 6 \u00a0mpg. However, the 10 fleets that participated in the event averaged 8.3 mpg, with the one CNG truck in the mix pulling down the average.<\/p>\n

\u201cExcluding the CNG truck, the nine diesel regional haul tractors averaged 8.7 mpg,\u201d Schaller added, saying the organization is willing to consider a future Run on Less that assesses vocational tractors or last-mile delivery trucks, if appropriate sponsorship can be secured.<\/p>\n

by Cheryl Knight<\/a><\/p>\n

Source: https:\/\/www.worktruckonline.com<\/a><\/p>\n

FLEET MANAGEMENT AUDIT<\/h3>\n

Fleet management is the use of a set of vehicles in order to provide services to a third-party, or to perform a task for our organization, in the most efficient and productive manner with a determined level of service and cost.<\/p>\n

Fleet management activities are shown in the following graph 1:<\/p>\n

\"fleet<\/p>\n

Graph 1: fleet management activities<\/p>\n

The proposal audit analyses and assesses all fleet management activities shown in the graph 1, and its main goals are:<\/p>\n